Microdesmus aethiopicus

The <em>Microdesmus aethiopicus</em> is a saltwater fish in the family Microdesmidae, the worm gobies — a group of small, elongate fishes that typically inhabit sandy or silty substrates in shallow tropical marine environments. Adults of <em>Microdesmus aethiopicus</em> reach a maximum recorded length of approximately 5.74 cm. This species has been recorded at depths from the surface down to around 10 metres, placing it firmly in the shallow coastal and intertidal zone. Worm gobies are named for their serpentine body form and burrowing behaviour; many species construct burrows in soft sediments from which they dart to capture prey or retreat when threatened. Details of habitat and range for this species remain limited in the ichthyological literature. The species epithet aethiopicus suggests an African distribution, likely along the eastern Atlantic coast or associated with African continental shelf waters. Microdesmids are generally carnivorous, feeding on small crustaceans, worms, and other invertebrates. Their small size and cryptic habits make them difficult to observe in the field, and comprehensive surveys of species diversity within the family continue to reveal new taxa. <em>Microdesmus aethiopicus</em> likely occupies sandy nearshore habitats sheltered from strong wave action.